{{Short description|State park in Indiana County, Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Yellow Creek State Park | image = Yellow Creek State Park.jpg | image_caption = Yellow Creek Lake | image_alt = Lake | image_size = 280 | location = [[Indiana County, Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|40.57818|-79.00095|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="ycsp"/> | area = {{convert|2981|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="ycsp"/> | elevation = {{convert|1283|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|1179717|Little Yellow Creek}}</ref> | established = {{Start date and age|1963}} | administrator = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] | website = {{Official website}} | module = {{Infobox protected area | map = USA Pennsylvania#USA | label = Yellow Creek State Park | label_position = | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Yellow Creek State Park''' is a [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] on {{convert|2981|acre}} in [[Brush Valley Township, Pennsylvania|Brush Valley]] and [[Cherryhill Township, Pennsylvania|Cherryhill]] Townships, [[Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Indiana County]], [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States. The park encompasses parts of [[Yellow Creek (Two Lick Creek)|Yellow Creek]] and [[Little Yellow Creek]]. The old [[Kittanning Path]] goes through the parkland. The park was established in 1963. An additional {{convert|159|acre}} of developed land were purchased in 1982. [[Yellow Creek Lake]], a {{convert|720|acre|adj=on}} man-made lake, was built in 1969 by an earth and rock dam on Yellow Creek. Yellow Creek State Park is between the [[borough (Pennsylvania)|boroughs]] of [[Ebensburg, Pennsylvania|Ebensburg]] and [[Indiana, Pennsylvania|Indiana]] on [[U.S. Route 422 in Pennsylvania|U.S. Route 422]].
==Hiking== There are {{convert|5|mi}} of trails open to [[hiking]] at Yellow Creek State Park. Ridgetop Trail is the most challenging of the trails. It is {{convert|2|mi}} and passes through a variety of [[habitat (ecology)|habitats]]. Laurel Run Trail is a {{convert|0.5|mi|adj=on}} loop trail in the vicinity of the park office. Damsite Trail, the longest trail in the park at {{convert|2.5|mi}}, is a remnant of the roads used to build Yellow Creek Lake in 1969.<ref name="ycsp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/yellow-creek-state-park.html |title=Yellow Creek State Park |publisher=[[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] |access-date=2025-06-27}}</ref>
==Picnicking== Yellow Creek State Park is a popular destination for groups and families for picnicking. The main picnic area is near the beach with parking for over 4,000 people and a large number of [[picnic table]]s. There are three [[pavilion]]s in the main picnic area. The pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Unreserved picnic tables are available on a first come first served basis.<ref name="ycsp"/>
==Camping== Six [[cottage]]s and 4 [[yurt]]s are available to rent at Yellow Creek State Park. The cottages are on the lakeshore near McFeather's Cove. They sleep up to five in single or double bunks. They have wooden floors, glass windows, a porch, and electric lights. The yard area of the cottages have picnic tables and fire rings. The yurts also sleep up to five in single or double bunks. They are a bit more modern than the cottages. Each yurt has a refrigerator and stove as well as tables, chairs and electric lights and heat.<ref name="ycsp"/>
==Yellow Creek Lake== Boats up to 20 [[horsepower]] are permitted on the waters of Yellow Creek Lake. There are three launch areas on the lake. All boats must display a current registration from any state or a launch permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.<ref name="ycsp"/> Boats are available to rent near the beach area, including canoes, kayaks, sailboats, paddleboats, and motorized pontoon boats. [[File:Yellowcreeksp.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Shoreline during a late winter day.]] An {{convert|800|ft|adj=on}} beach is open from [[Memorial Day]] weekend through [[Labor Day]] weekend. Beginning in 2008 lifeguards will not be posted at the beach.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=384046 | title = Pa. state parks going without life guards at beaches in 2008 | access-date = 2008-02-19 | publisher = [[Times Leader]] | archive-date = October 7, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081007235840/http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=384046 | url-status = dead }}</ref> There is a large bathhouse at the beach that also serves as the [[first-aid]] station and snack bar.<ref name="ycsp"/>
==Hunting and fishing== [[Hunting]] is permitted at Yellow Creek State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the [[Pennsylvania Game Commission]]. The common game species are [[eastern gray squirrel]]s, [[wild turkey]], [[white-tailed deer]], [[ruffed grouse]], [[common pheasant]], [[American black bear]], [[waterfowl]], and [[eastern cottontail]] rabbits. The hunting of [[groundhog]]s is prohibited.<ref name="ycsp"/>
Yellow Creek Lake is a warm water fishery. The common game fish are [[pike (fish)|pike]], [[muskellunge]], [[bass (fish)|bass]], [[perch]], [[crappie]] and [[bluegill]]. Laurel Run, Little Yellow Creek and Yellow Creek are cold water fisheries. These streams are stocked with [[trout]] by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. All fishers are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the fish commission at all times.<ref name="ycsp"/>
==Photo Gallery== {{Gallery | title = Yellow Creek Lake | align = | footer = | style = | state = | height = | width = | captionstyle = | File:Yellow Creek Lake View from Camp Seph Mack (BSA).jpg | Eastern Shore of Yellow Creek Lake, near Camp Seph Mack (BSA) | alt1 = Portrait photograph showing the shoreline along lake at Yellow Creek Lake in Indiana County, Pennsylvania | File:Yellow Creek Lake View from Marsh.jpg | View of Yellow Creek Lake showing southern marsh area | alt2 = Landscape photo showing Yellow Creek Lake marsh area | File:Yellow Creek Lake, Northern View.jpg | Northern view of Yellow Creek Lake from the water, near McFeaters Cover Boat Launch | alt3 = Landscape photo showing a northern view of Yellow Creek Lake from the water | File:Yellow Creek Spillway.jpg | View of Yellow Creek Spillway, with lake waters flowing into Yellow Creek | alt4 = Portrait photo showing Yellow Creek Spillway, with lake waters flowing into Yellow Creek | File:View of Yellow Creek Lake from Dam and Spillway.jpg | Yellow Creek Lake alongside dam and Spillway into Yellow Creek | alt5 = Portrait photograph showing the edge of a lake and a fence, at Yellow Creek Lake in Indiana County, Pennsylvania }}
==In the news== Yellow Creek State Park became the first Pennsylvania state park to switch from gasoline-powered [[lawn mower]]s to [[propane]] powered lawn mowers in 2008. This is part of a statewide effort to make the state parks more environmentally friendly. The propane mower reduces [[exhaust gas|emissions]] by 90% and boosts [[fuel efficiency]] by 10%. Yellow Creek state park has taken other steps to reduce man's impact on the environment. These include installing [[wind turbine]]s to provide electric power to the environmental education building. The buildings have been remodeled with better window placement in order to take advantage of the sun's rays. A new boat that uses less fuel has been purchased to patrol Yellow Creek Lake. Lastly, park rangers and educators are using [[bicycle]]s instead of [[truck]]s whenever possible.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-19-2008/0004816553&EDATE= | title = Yellow Creek State Park Goes Green | access-date = 2008-05-24 | publisher = PR Newswire Association}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} {{Portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/yellow-creek-state-park.html Yellow Creek State Park] Department of Conservation and Natural Resources *[https://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1737187&DocName=YECR_ParkMap.pdf Yellow Creek State Park Map] Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Indiana County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Indiana County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1963]] [[Category:1963 establishments in Pennsylvania]]